[5] The total strength of the Somaliland armed forces in recent estimates have put the number of active duty personnel between 8,000 and 13,000.

[3] Due to a United Nations arms embargo on Somalia, the state is not allowed to procure weapons.

[11] After independence, the Somaliland Scouts merged with the former Dervishes to form the 5,000 strong Somali National Army.

The movement fought a guerrilla war in the northwest of the country with the aim of overthrowing and replacing the military government.

[15] After the dictator's defeat and special developments in 1991, the Somali sultans decided to abolish unity in 1960 and declared Somaliland an independent state.

The communities in Somaliland negotiated what led to the Great Reconciliation Conference in Borama in 1993 which allowed the transfer of power from the Somali National Movement.

However, in December 2012, Somaliland defense ministry announced that a chain of command had been developed and which was implemented in January 2013.

[9] Due to a United Nations arms embargo on Somalia, which the semi-autonomous Somaliland region is internationally recognized as being a part of, the territory is not allowed to purchase weapons.